Whinery: Caveat Emptor, My 2013 Predictions

What a miserable year 2012 turned out to be…

Maybe I’m just becoming too cynical, but the only thing that could have salvaged this year for me would have been if the “Mayan End of the World” had come to pass.

Is there any reason for optimism for the “Year of Our Lord” 2013?

Kind of, but not really. Here are my predictions nonetheless.

DOMESTIC POLICY – The only thing that may get better are the marijuana laws. With Colorado and Washington leading the way, expect to see many other States follow and either legalize or decriminalize the herb.

But… as with any silver lining, there’s always a thundercloud.

Which will be the bonanza in “Driving while Stoned” charges emanating from places where its widely available for consumption. Until there’s a parts per million standard for what constitutes impaired driving, expect to see states filling their coffers with fines from marijuana related driving offenses.

CITY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS – Expect to see a lot more County and Municipal bankruptcies.  As property and sales taxes decline coupled with higher borrowing costs, bond yields and unfunded and ever increasing employee benefits costs, many cities and counties are going to bite the dust. And if I may go out on a limb, a State may finally go bust this year.

My money is on California or Illinois.

THE MIDDLE EAST – Expect the “Far-Right” led by my soul brother, Bibi
Netanyahu to sweep the Israeli elections in January. Which is why the former Senator from the “Great State of Nebraska,” Chuck Hagel must be confirmed as the Secretary of Defense. He’s an anti-war conservative and is the best person to manage the unwinding of the American Empire.

Without Hagel, expect to see more imperial over-reach by the “War Party.” The worst case scenario that can happen in this volatile region is war with Iran. Get ready for WW3 if that happens.

If Hagel is vilified as an anti-semite or anti-gay and doesn’t make it, all
bets are off and get ready for total war.

OBAMACARE – Watch for a mass exodus of Republican Governors to depart from their “values” and set up the bureaucratic channels which will pave the way – without  resistence – to Obamacare’s implementation in the States.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY – Their slow march to national irrelevance will continue if the “Libertarian Wing” of the Party doesn’t take over. If their current leadership led by homophobes, fascists and plutocrats doesn’t get thrown out- starting with Boehner & McConnell, who should be replaced by Cantor and Paul – it’s looking bad for the Elephants.

Which is why I see the Reps keeping Boehner & McConnell.

They never learn and will continue their slide into obscurity

GUN CONTROL – No matter how many massacres may happen, it’s too late to limit the weaponry held by the American People. All the gun control measures in the wildest fantasies of Dianne Feinstein won’t stop random acts of violence in this Country.

And as far as confiscation goes- good luck with that!

If our leaders were crazy enough to pass a measure where people with guns were rounded up- get ready for Civil War Part 2. I see no meaningful gun control measures passing.

THE ECONOMY – We are all SCREWED!

Have a Happy New Year!